Crash destroys Taiwanese AH-64E Apache

The crew of a Taiwanese army Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter were seriously injured when their aircraft crashed during a training flight on 25 April.

Flightglobal’s Ascend Online advisory service says the aircraft was involved in a forced landing after its crew encountered a loss of power. The rotorcraft came to rest on the roof of building in Taoyuan, with its tail boom appearing to have separated on impact.

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Boeing last December shipped the first six Apaches to Taiwan from a 30-aircraft order signed in June 2011. Ascend – which reports the destroyed aircraft as carrying the registration 808 – says the loss reduces the army’s current active fleet of the type to 17 units.

The mishap represents the first hull loss involving an E-model, or Block III example of the Apache, which is also currently operated by the US Army.